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Top 17 fantastic attractions in Zaragoza, Spain

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fantastic attractions in Zaragoza, Spain

fantastic attractions in Zaragoza, Spain

Visit Zaragoza, and you will find a wealth of historical and cultural attractions. Visitors may explore magnificent art museums, the oldest Marian cathedral in Christendom, and fascinating archaeological sites.

Following the “Caesaraugusta Road,” enthusiasts may see the ruins of the Roman town of Caesarea Aurelia Augusta, which flourished in the 1st and 2nd centuries CE and was named after Emperor Augustus.

The Basilica of Our Lady of Pilar is one of Spain’s most significant pilgrimage cathedrals and a must-see for fans of Baroque design.

The 12th-century Moorish castle and the Mudéjar splendor of San Pablo, Santa Maria Magdalena, and San Juan de los Panetes are also very interesting.

This Museum feature works by current artist Pablo Serrano and famous sculptor Pablo Gargallo in addition to Francisco de Goya’s well-known paintings.

Top 17 attractions in Zaragoza

Find out what to see and do while in Zaragoza by reading our guide to the city’s main attractions.

  1. Museo del Foro de Caesaraugusta
  2. Basílica de Nuestra Señora del Pilar
  3. Palacio de la Aljafería
  4. Catedral del Salvador de Zaragoza
  5. School Origami Museum of Zaragoza
  6. Iglesia de San Pablo de Zaragoza
  7. IAACC Pablo Serrano
  8. Museo Goya
  9. Museo de Zaragoza
  10. Museo Pablo Gargallo
  11. Museo de las Termas Públicas de Caesaraugusta
  12. Puente de Piedra
  13. Museo del Teatro de Caesaraugusta
  14. Zaragoza’s Central Market
  15. Church of Santa Maria Magdalena
  16. Zaragoza River Aquarium
  17. Plaza de Nuestra Señora del Pilar

Museo del Foro de Caesaraugusta

Caesaraugusta was a Roman colony (town) in what is now Zaragoza during the 1st and 2nd centuries, and its history may be explored in the Museo del Foro de Caesaraugusta (Museum of the Roman Forum of Caesaraugusta).

Museo del Foro de Caesaraugusta

Caesaraugusta, so named because it was established by Emperor Augustus, was a prosperous city. In the heart of city life were a theater, public baths, and a magnificent forum. This museum provides an impressive tour through the historic city of Zaragoza for those who are interested in the city’s magnificent history. That’s why it is considered one of Zaragoza’s top attractions.

The Caesaraugusta forum, uncovered during the museum’s construction, was located just beneath the Plaza de La Seo. There are artifacts from the Roman Forum that date back to the time of Emperor Tiberius.

Shop walls, pipes, and a sewer system, as well as a government structure and a temple, all serve as visual representations of the old Roman market that visitors may explore. An informative audiovisual presentation rounds off the exhibitions well.

Basílica de Nuestra Señora del Pilar

For Catholics, the Basilica del Pilar is a must-see, and it draws the most tourists of any attraction in the Aragon area. The basilica is on the site where the Virgin Mary supposedly appeared to the Apostle James while he was preaching on the banks of the Ebro River.

Around the column or ‘pillar’ on which the Madonna leant, the first church in her honor was constructed. This pillar has been a symbol of Spain’s conversion to Christianity for the past two thousand years, and its anniversary on October 12 is also celebrated as Christopher Columbus Day.

The current basilica of El Pilar was built on the foundation of the Gothic church of 1515, which had replaced the Romanesque church that had been destroyed by fire in 1443. The altar of Damián Forment and the beautiful choir stalls are two examples of the noteworthy works that survived the fire and demolition of the Romanesque and Moorish-Gothic churches. Make sure you visit this amazing landmark on your trip to the city, as it is one of Zaragoza’s top attractions.

Palacio de la Aljafería

The Aljaferia Palace dates back to the 11th century, making it a significant piece of Spanish-Muslim architecture and one of the best tourist attractions in Zaragoza. Throughout the years, the structure has undergone a series of renovations. The Patio de Santa Isabel, the Golden Hall, and the Oratory all include stunning porticoes that may be enjoyed by visitors today.

Palacio de la Aljafería

After the Reconquest, the most noticeable changes to Aljaferia Palace were the addition of the Mudejar Palace of Pedro IV and the Church of San Martin. The most significant artistic change dates back to 1492 when it was commissioned by Catholic rulers.

The Aljaferia Palace housed the Inquisition Tribunal, complete with dungeons and a military garrison, beginning in 1485. The Aragonese parliament has relocated to one of its outbuildings. The 9th-century Tower of the Troubadours, where Verdi placed the action of his renowned opera Il Trovatore, is also a must-see landmark in the city.

Catedral del Salvador de Zaragoza

The earliest Christian cathedral in Zaragoza, the Cathedral of El Salvador (Cathedral of the Saviour), also known as La Seo, is a prime example of Aragonese Mudéjar. Located on what was formerly the site of the Roman forum and the massive Aljama Mosque, this structure dates back to the 12th century.

The choir stalls and the grand polychrome alabaster altar from the 15th century are only two of the attractions of La Seo’s interior. The sanctuaries of the retrochoir and the Capilla de San Bernardo, sculpted from alabaster with scenes of the Archangels and Saint Pedro Arbués, are further noteworthy elements from the Renaissance period.

The cathedral also houses one of the top three tapestry museums in the world, with works by Flemish artists from the 14th to the 18th century. La Seo is one of the best attractions in Zaragoza since it was designated as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.

School Origami Museum of Zaragoza

The local “Paperfolding” group in Zaragoza built the Origami Museum (Escuela Museo Origami Zaragoza) in the 1940s, making it the first of its kind in Europe. This museum is dedicated to education; it offers courses, seminars, and special events like paper aircraft competitions, as its name indicates. This museum is sure one of Zaragoza’s top attractions.

School Origami Museum of Zaragoza

Famous origami artists, including Yoshihide Momotani, Akira Yoshizawa, and Vicent Floderer, have all contributed works to the museum’s collection. The museum has both permanent displays and temporary exhibitions that highlight certain materials or artists. The museum also plays home to competitions for both professional “folders” and the general public.

Iglesia de San Pablo de Zaragoza

This church, which is a prime example of the Aragon Mudéjar architecture, is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site due to its outstanding cultural and architectural significance. Throughout the 13th and 14th centuries, the little Romanesque chapel outside the town was destroyed, and San Pablo Church was constructed in its stead to be one of Zaragoza’s top attractions.

Due to its single nave and high vaulted ceilings, the interior seems quite open and airy. The gorgeous artwork is housed in the chapels that have been carved into the buttresses.

The church was expanded and improved upon in the 15th and 18th centuries. The main altarpiece to Saint Paul was made of gilded wood by artist Damián Forment in 1515, making it a must-see Renaissance piece.

IAACC Pablo Serrano

Another one of Zaragoza’s best attractions is the IAACC Pablo Serrano Museum. The Aragonese Institute of Contemporary Art and Culture (IAACC) is a state-of-the-art museum of modern and contemporary art with an extensive Pablo Serrano sculpture collection (1908–1985).

IAACC Pablo Serrano

It is located in a structure originally constructed by Julio Bravo at the turn of the twentieth century but extensively renovated since then. Art by Pablo Picasso, Alexander Calder, and Andy Warhol are among the many other artists on display at the museum that opened in 2005.

Museo Goya

Anybody visiting Zaragoza who appreciates art should make time to check out the Goya Museum, as it is one of Zaragoza’s top attractions. The Spanish painter Francisco de Goya (1746-1828) was a major figure in both the Late Baroque and Early-Modern periods. He is often cited as one of the final Old Masters and the first modernists.

The Goya Museum in Zaragoza is located in the Jerónimo Cósida house, a Renaissance edifice from the 16th century that stands out due to its outstanding façade and majestic colonnaded courtyard.

The museum is a cultural hub with over 800 works on exhibit, including masterpieces by Goya and other renowned Spanish painters, Renaissance and Baroque religious paintings, and a collection of art, sketches, and modern works from the 18th and 19th centuries.

Museo de Zaragoza

In the Museo de Zaragoza, guests may learn about the province of Zaragoza via its art, culture, and history. This museum, which is located in the pavilion of the Universal Exhibition of 1908, is home to a rich and varied collection of artifacts spanning the disciplines of archaeology and fine arts.

Museo de Zaragoza

Beginning in prehistory and continuing through the ancient Roman and Moorish periods, the collection then moves on to the Gothic and Renaissance periods and finally ends in the modern day. This museum is sure one of the best tourist attractions in Zaragoza.

Antiquities from Aljafera Palace, a bust of Emperor Augustus, and metal plaques inscribed in Iberian and Roman are only a few of the highlights of the archaeological collection in this museum.

Museo Pablo Gargallo

This museum is dedicated to the work of Pablo Gargallo, a remarkable modern sculptor from the Aragon area, and it is one of the best tourist attractions in Zaragoza. It is located in the majestic Palace of Arguillo, which dates back to the 16th century. The museum features both the artist’s early marble and plaster sculptures and his later works in iron and other materials.

The exhibits of the artist’s sculptures, paintings, engravings, cartoons, and biographical information allow visitors to gain insight into the artist’s creative mind and aesthetic vision. Among the most notable pieces in the collection include The Great Prophet, a portrait of Kiki de Montparnasse, and the sculptures of equestrians known as the Olympic Salute.

Museo de las Termas Públicas de Caesaraugusta

The Caesaraugusta hot baths, which opened in the first century, served as a major gathering place for ancient Romans. The public baths were more than simply a place to get clean; they were also a social hub where people could engage in other activities, including sports, reading, and listening to live performances of music and poetry.

Museo de las Termas Públicas de Caesaraugusta

Caesaraugusta’s old Roman baths have been preserved in the Museo de las Termas Pblicas de Caesaraugusta, where they may be studied in detail, and some of their remnants are viewed by curious tourists (Museum of the Public Baths of Caesaraugusta). The museum is definitely worth a visit as it is one of Zaragoza’s top attractions.

Puente de Piedra

The Puente de Piedra, or “stone bridge,” is one of Zaragoza’s most popular tourist attractions. One of the greatest views of the Basilica de Nuestra Seora del Pilar may be had from this bridge, which connects the historic center with the modern section of town over the Ebro.

This bridge has been rebuilt several times; in fact, a wooden bridge stood here during Roman times. The existing bridge, however, was originally constructed in the Gothic style around the 15th century and has had several renovations since then. Francisco Rallo, an artist, put bronze lions on the bridge in 1991.

Museo del Teatro de Caesaraugusta

The Caesaraugusta Theatre, located in the ancient Roman city of the same name, could hold as many as 6,000 spectators. The remnants of this theater, which were discovered during excavations in 1972, are open to the public today, and the museum is one of Zaragoza’s best attractions.

Panoramic views of the excavation operation may be seen on the ground level, while in the basement, audiovisual displays and 3D models show what the theater looked like in Roman times. On the theater’s upper level, an additional video exhibition educates guests on the many cultures that have existed in and around the building throughout its history.

Museo del Teatro de Caesaraugusta

Zaragoza’s Central Market

The Mercado Central is the heart of Zaragoza’s bustling marketplace scene. It’s a magnificent hall with high ceilings, soaring arches, and vast rooms. Since its opening in 1903, it has been recognized as a National Historic Landmark, so even if you don’t plan on making a purchase, you should go have a look.

The market has stands selling everything from fish and meat to vegetables, dairy products, and baked items. It’s the best place to stock up on food for a picnic in the city’s central park, Parque Grande, and it sure is one of Zaragoza’s best attractions.

Church of Santa Maria Magdalena

The location of the present-day Iglesia de Santa Maria Magdalena was once a mosque constructed by the Moors. After its construction in the 12th century, the Romanesque church that was built to replace the mosque had extensive renovations in the 14th and 17th centuries, during which time Baroque elements were also incorporated. Nowadays, this church is one of Zaragoza’s top attractions.

Typical of Aragonese Mudéjar architecture, the tower of Santa Maria Magdalena stands out; its ornate geometric patterns are reminiscent of an Almohad-style minaret. Moorish architectural features are complemented by the church’s decorative glazed ceramic patterns.

Mudéjar architecture is distinguished by its overlapping arches and pointed windows, both of which can be found inside the building’s unusual apse. There are sculptures and pictures from the 18th century by José Ramirez de Arellano on the main altar.

Church of Santa Maria Magdalena

Zaragoza River Aquarium

There are about 300 different types of fish and other aquatic animals living in this aquarium’s freshwater habitat. In its core, the structure has a symbolic glacier that supplies water to the building’s many “river” habitats, each of which is a recreation of a different significant ecosystem on Earth’s surface, such as the Nile or the Amazon.

Over two and a half million liters of water represent the primordial waters from whence all life sprang in the center tank. The endangered Malay shark, the ecologically significant Pac, and the third-largest freshwater fish in the world, the Arapaima, all call this place home which is one of the greatest tourist attractions in Zaragoza.

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